Superjumbo Airbus hogs the limelight

By T. S. Shankar

FARNBOROUGH (LONDON), JULY 25. The world's renowned aerospace exhibition and flying display and the world's premier international aerospace business exhibition - the Farnborough International 2000 air show - got off to a colourful start here on Monday with Airbus Industrie hogging the limelight with the announcement that it has got ``firm orders'' from the Emirates Airlines for the purchase of the five (with an option for 5 more later) of the latest 550-seater world's biggest ``Superjumbo passenger plane Airbus-3XX''.

The Emirates Airlines deal with Airbus Industrie has been viewed by the global players in the aviation industry as very significant. It will also give the much-needed impetus to the British Aerospace industry in North Wales as it would be making the wings for the new plane. Besides, the move holds out assurances of creating greater employment opportunities. Rolls Royce employees in Derby could have a more secured future for having ``won the contract to design and build the A3XX engines''. Apart from being the biggest airplane, the A3XX is equipped with mini-shopping malls, restaurants and gyms as value-added features of the aircraft to help cater to the specific needs of the globetrotters.

Airbus Industrie will also be looking at other prospective global airline operators, including the Virgin, which has recently commenced its operations between India and London by introducing direct flights to New Delhi. Besides, Virgin Airlines, which has expressed its ``keen interest'' in the Superjumbo airplanes, Airbus Industrie, during the week-long Farnborough International air show, would vigorously market its products with other global and regional airline operators, including Delta Airlines of the United States, say the officials of Airbus Industrie participating in the show.

Apart from the French aircraft manufacturing giant, Airbus Industrie, key players such as the Seattle-based U.S. aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Agasta, Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, MD Helicopters and SAAB-39 Gripen are participating as major exhibitors.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai-based domestic carrier, Jet Airways, is expected to make a presentation here to help inform the global aviation industry that it is the only private carrier from India to participate in such world-level fairs and show an interest in spreading its wings to international destinations, particularly the Gulf sectors.

Organised by The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), the Farnborough air show acts as a global window for the aerospace industry. It is a biennial opportunity for the trade and the public to experience the latest in aviation technology, explains Ms. Lindsey Hart, Manager - Public Relations of SBAC.

The annual Farnborough air show, which is traditionally held in September, has been shifted to July for the first time this year to help bring in more global players because of the summer weather condition in the region.

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Section  : International
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